Assistant Technical Officer

University Hospitals Plymouth Nhs Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking an Assistant Technical Officer to support the Combined Laboratory reception team. You will assist with sample handling, data entry and communications with clinicians and external laboratories.

The role requires dexterity, numeracy, literacy and IT skills, along with a strong commitment to Health and Safety. A 24/7 rota applies with enhanced payments for non‑day shifts.

Qualifications

• GCSEs 9–4 in Maths and English and NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent.
• Proven understanding of patient confidentiality and health and safety requirements.
• Excellent IT skills and ability to use laboratory information systems.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prepare samples, data entry and dispatch to centres as appropriate.
• Answer routine calls to/from GP, medical and healthcare staff.
• Rotate through the laboratory reception, supporting a 24/7 service.

Skills

Dexterity

Numeracy

Literacy

Health and Safety

IT skills

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE Maths & English (9-4)

NVQ level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory IT system

PIMS system

Job description

Job summary

We require an Assistant Technical Officer to work as part of a team within the Combined Laboratory reception area.
Applicants must have good basic dexterity, numeracy and literacy skills; technical aptitude, proven knowledge of Health and Safety Issues; basic IT skills; be able to work within a busy environment within a team and have an eye for detail.
You will be part of a team working with scientific staff providing a valuable support function to our Diagnostic Service, handling and processing patients' samples as part of the analytical process, with a particular role in the management of samples and results referred to hospital clinicians, general practitioners and external laboratories.
The successful applicant will take part in the 24/7 rotas for evenings, weekends, bank holidays and overnight shifts as appropriate. Additional payments are made for these duties.
Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Main duties of the job

• The receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry, presentation for analysis and dispatch to tertiary centres as appropriate
• To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GP's, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff
• To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedure
• To partake in the 24/7 rota which will include covering a 7 day, 24hr service in reception.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.
The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you into contact with the recruitment team.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted: 29 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £25,272 a year Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LT-DB8299631

Job responsibilities

• Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests.
• Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send‑away samples are packaged and despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.
• Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
• Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.
• To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.
• To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations
• Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.
• Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.
• Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.
• To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non‑compliance with policy.
• Informing patients of the venepuncture procedure to be carried out in a caring reassuring manner that is aimed at their level of understanding.
• To undertake work for which they have been trained which may take up to 2 months shadowing a trained member of staff.
• To have sufficient knowledge and competence to rotate through sections of the laboratory as required.
• Following SOPs record and inform requestors of rejected samples.
• Prepare samples for analysis using techniques applicable to the areas of work this may include attaching bar code labels, centrifugation, separation and prepare aliquots as required.
• Book test requests into the laboratory computer system
• To assist in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products and the daily cleaning of laboratory work surfaces.
• Assist in performing print runs of reports and their sorting for distribution as necessary. Assist in the maintenance of both hard copy and computer held reports.
• To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non‑clinical meetings.
• To participate in the collection, receipt and safe storage of reagents and other supplies.
• To maintain an adequate supply of clean glassware, make up solutions and collect chemicals from the various stores as required.
• Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of diagnostic material.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person specification

Essential knowledge and experience

• Proven understanding of need for patient confidentiality
• Proven knowledge of Health & Safety issues
• Use of IT equipment including a keyboard

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Proven knowledge of tests performed and sent away by the department
• Proven knowledge of all relevant Health and Safety legislation and its application to the section
• Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory

Essential qualifications

• GCSE's 9-4 (A-C) in Maths & English and NVQ level 2 in either business administration or related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience

Essential aptitude and abilities

• Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff at all levels of the organisation and patients with tact and diplomacy
• Proven ability to effectively organise and prioritise own work
• Attention to detail
• Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst working within a busy environment
• Time Management skills
• Manual dexterity, including manipulation for protracted periods of the day
• Good telephone manner
• Multi-tasking skills
• Transcription skills
• Numeracy skills
• Meet key targets following training once the necessary level of experience has been achieved

Desirable aptitude and abilities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Working proven knowledge of PIMS
• Working proven knowledge of relevant laboratory information management systems

Essential disposition, attitude and motivation

• Team Worker
• Able to work under pressure
• Ability to concentrate for long periods
• Willing to undertake in‑service training to achieve the necessary levels of speed and accuracy
• Required to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to both biological and chemical hazards
• Participate in 24/7 service, extended hours and weekend service
• Required to use VDU for protracted periods
• Flexibility
• Required to handle a wide range of specimens
• Required to handle large volumes of consumables up to a weight of 10kg daily

Disclosure and Barring Service check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:

DCL Reception Manager, Samantha Pethick, [e-mail], 01752245020

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